Spartans seniors sign with colleges

FELTON — There’s nothing better for high school seniors than knowing the first paragraph of the next chapter of their lives has already been written prior to graduation.

Last Friday, Lake Forest seniors DJ Cornish and Katherine Betts secured the beginning of their next chapters by signing college letters of intent to attend Shepherd University and Wesley College respectively.

“It makes me proud to see our seniors sign to attend a college where they will play the sports they loved in high school,” said Lake Forest Athletic Director Fred Johnson. “Not every student gets that opportunity, which proves both DJ and Katherine did what they were supposed to do both on the playing field and in the classroom.”

Even though Cornish, who played on both sides of the ball for the Spartans football team, signed to play the sport at Shepherd, his positon on the playing field is still up in the air.

“DJ made a very good impression on several Shepherd coaches,” said Johnson. “The coaches at Shepherd are still trying to decide where he will play because the tight end, outside linebacker and inside linebacker coaches all felt he would be great at those positions.

“In my opinion I feel, because of his speed, knowledge and quickness, he would be a great tight end.”

According to Cornish, Shepherd is a good fit for him.

“They (Shepherd) have shown interest in me for a while,” he said. “When I visited the campus I had a nice time and, after I finished with my drills there, they told me they liked what they saw.

“The campus (in Shepherdstown, W.Va., which is located just north of Harpers Ferry on the Potomac River) was beautiful, so when they offered me a scholarship I accepted.”

Cornish’s athletic playing days at Lake are now over following the end of the basketball season.

“I would have to say my last year playing sports here at Lake Forest was a decent one,” he said. “Our football team was undefeated during the regular season, which was great, but I wish we had done better in the state tournament. We didn’t have such a great year in basketball, but we played very well in the second half (of the season).

“I feel there were a lot of things I could have done better on both teams, but overall I don’t think I had a bad season.”

Cornish plans on majoring in therapeutic recreation with a minor in psychology when he attends Shepherd this fall.

“The main reason I want to major and minor in them is because I really like helping people,” he said. “I feel that being a student/athlete these subjects just fit into what I would like to do in the future.”

Johnson has no doubt Betts will be a great asset for the Wesley softball team.

“Katherine has worked hard and put in a lot of time to become a very good pitcher,” said Johnson. “She and her teammates have put in a lot of time during the offseason in the weight room, which I know will pay off this season.

“It’s going to be fun to watch Katherine on the mound and her supporting cast in the field this spring during the softball season.”

Betts wants to make the most out of her senior season as a Lady Spartans softball player.

“I feel we will be a very good team this year,” she said. “We have a new coach and I know we have the talent to play in the state tournament.”

While she still has one season left of high school softball, Betts is looking forward to attending Wesley and playing the sport she loves.

“I’ve always wanted to attend a college close to home so Wesley is a good choice for me,” said Betts. “The also have a very good education program, which fits into my plans to major in elementary education.

“The Wesley coaches saw me during a travel ball game and they liked the way I pitched. I feel I can pitch at that level and am looking forward to the opportunity.”

Whereas Cornish’s Lake Forest athletic days are over, Betts will lead the Lady Spartans onto the field when they open the season on the road against Henlopen North powerhouse Sussex Central Mar. 24. Lake Forest will open its home season Mar. 27 against Cape Henlopen.

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